Still without an international silverware, a resurgent Nepali women’s football team will be setting its sight on fifth SAFF Women’s Championship title when the tournament kicks off from March 12 in Biratnagar.

Since the inception of the biennial tournament in 2010, Nepal have always been the title contenders but the title has always eluded them with Indian being the major thorn. They had entered the finals on three occasions – 2010, 2012, 2014 — and semi-finals on 2016. In all occasions, Nepal had lost to India, the last defeat was in the semi-final two years ago. The matches against the remaining South Asian opponents have always been a cakewalk for them. India are the only South Asian opponents to defeat Nepal.

The two sides have played 10 matches so far after 2010 with Nepal winning one, losing seven and drawing two of them. With other six South Asian opponents – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Maldives and Sri Lanka — Nepal have played 20 matches during the period. Nepal have won 19 and settled for draw in one match – against Bangladesh in Asian Qualifier for the 2020 Olympics in November last year in Myanmar.

However, Nepal could count on their recent performance, specially against their South Asian arch-rivals. Nepal had stunned India 2-1 at their own backyard in the Hero Women’s League last month in Bhubaneswar, before finishing runners up to Myanmar. The victory in Bhubaneswar had preceded by a 1-1 draw in the Asian Qualifier for 2020 Olympics in Yangon, Myanmar. Nepal along with Myanmar and India made it to the second round of Qualifier.

“I wanted to end losing jinx against India and instill confidence on the team that we are capable to beat them,” national women’s team coach Hari Khadka told the Post adding why it was important for his girls to break the hoodoo. “The psychological aspect of the team has changed after the 1-1 draw against India in Myanmar. The girls would go low on confidence prior to that draw. Now they believe that they could even beat India hard work is put in. Their effort paid off last month in Bhubaneswar,” added the former national men’s team captain.

“On the back of that fresh victory over India and the home environment, it would be rightful to say the team is in great momentum to win title at home. We have a balanced team with greater scoring power. Everyone is working hard to achieve the dream,” said Khadka adding that his first focus was on the league stage where Nepal are drawn against Bangladesh and Bhutan in Group ‘A’. The other group consists of India, Maldives and Sri Lanka. The top two finishers make it to the semi-finals.

“Our first target is to finish on top of the group stage and prepare accordingly for the semi-final. Any outcome is possible in football and there should be no room to get complacent,” the coach added. Khadka said he was currently working on the mental aspects of the team and instilling ability to withstand any pressure.

All Nepal Football Association’s (ANFA’s) former development director Sanjib Mishra says: “The women team has to maintain the momentum they have carried in the last two months. The moral of the team is high after making into the second round of Asian Qualifier for 2020 Olympics in Myanmar. Beating India at their home turf was even more overwhelming and they could play freely without any pressure.”

Mishra also warned against complacency on the back of recent outcome over the stubborn opponent and home supporters. “The players need to be motivated but they should not be overconfident. The team coach and management should be wary of that because a single goal can turn the things around,” he summed up.

Nepal’s prolific striker Sabitra Bhandari, the highest scorer of the current squad with 22 goals under her belt, said that the team was highly motivated and eager to make history. “Our ambition is to win the tournament and create a new history by ending international trophy drought in women’s football,” said the 25-year-old. “Our participation in the Hero Gold Cup was really fruitful. We came to know our weaknesses in the tournament and sir (coach) is working on that.”

“After registering maiden win over India, the confidence level of the team is really high. But we will take cautious approach against all opponents and make sure we don’t take anyone lightly,” she added. Nepal start their group stage campaign taking on Bhutan on Tuesday and Bangladesh on Saturday.

Participating teams arrive for SAFF

BIRATNAGAR: The participating teams of the SAFF Women’s Championship arrived in Biratnagar on Sunday to compete in the biennial event scheduled from March 12-22 at the Shahid Stadium. Besides hosts Nepal, the tournament features defending champions India, Bangla-desh, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka. The Nepali squad had arrived in Biratnagar on Wednesday after holding training camps in Itahari and Bhadrapur. Nepal will vie against Bhutan in the opening match on Tuesday. The expected cost of the tournament is Rs 16.5 million. (PR)